@article{article_1673321, title={The Historical Roots of the Social Conflict Phenomenon in Syria in the Context of Intergroup Conflict Theories}, journal={Recent Period Turkish Studies}, pages={392–413}, year={2025}, DOI={10.26650/YTA2025-1673321}, url={https://izlik.org/JA28WF76XL}, author={Yılmaz Odabaşı, Hadiye and Kaynak, Deniz Ülke}, keywords={Suriye, Toplumsal Çatışma, Sünni-Şii İlişkileri, Psikopolitika, Mezhepçilik}, abstract={<p>Following World War I, the territories of Syria, which emerged from Ottoman rule, underwent successive phases of social conflict that have continued into the present day. Beginning with the French Mandate period and extending into the postindependence era - particularly during the rise and consolidation of Ba‘ath Party rule - regional and tribal tensions gradually evolved into sectarian divisions. Under Ottoman administration, however, despite religious, ethnic, and sectarian diversity, intergroup conflicts remained relatively limited for nearly four centuries. Decades of research on intergroup conflict indicate that ethnic, religious, and sectarian communities can coexist with minimal hostility if unifying strategies are effectively implemented. One essential unifying strategy involves ensuring equal access for all groups to basic human needs such as security, livelihood, social support, recognition, significance, and comfort - consistent with the principles of equity. In contrast, favoritism toward specific groups tends to exacerbate competition and deepen hostility among communities. A major factor contributing to the failure to form a cohesive national identity in Syria was the social fragmentation deliberately fostered by the policies of the French Mandate administration. During the Cold War, Western imperialist powers intensified their involvement in the region, further aggravating intergroup divisions. The Ba‘ath regime, inheriting this fragmented social structure, institutionalized favoritism toward the Alawite minority while pursuing repressive and exclusionary policies against other groups. These dynamics entrenched Syria’s internal divisions, ultimately culminating in the outbreak of civil war in 2011. </p>}, number={48}